We are past midsummer and it is not a dream, we are in North America. We landed on Saturday, June 20 after a long transit from Addis. It was on the eve of midsummer, solstice, and the day seemed to go on and on (in Addis Ababa the sun always sets between 6:30 and 7 p.m.).
The first couple of weeks were spent with Wanda’s family and in St. Catharines, with health appointments and with friends. Lots of good food (too good, I think I’ve gained weight) and good exercise. For my part I’ve been able to walk every morning, in part to maintain my weight and in part to simply enjoy the free and open space. Amani, Abby and Sophia have been freed too, taking advantage of the wide, open spaces to bicycle and roam around. One doesn’t realize how confining our compound in Ethiopia has been until one is ‘freed’ here in North America. As white North Americans in Addis Ababa, we stand out and the females are sometimes the target of harassment.
So far we have all had our eyes checked (the girls are fine, no correction needed. I need a small correction to the better and Wanda is going to need bifocals, effectively ‘crossing over’ to middle age), the girls got booster shots at the health clinic, Wanda and I have had our teeth checked (the girls will be checked in August), and we saw our M.D for the first time in two years. I am feeling more relaxed since most of the health obligations are now done.
But shopping is another matter. Wanda and the girls are really enjoying hitting the stores, lots of happy smiles after each mall experience. I prefer shopping online. My two favorite stores right now are Amazon and LL Bean. This can be fun with a broadband connection (as opposed to a slow dialup connection). DVD’s and clothing make up most of the purchases (DVD’s have become our way to cope in Addis with two government run TV channels and our choice not to purchase a satellite dish), along with checking out news, sports and weather online.
The weather has cooperated most of the time, with only an occasional rainy day here and there (southern Ontario has had more than its share of cool, wet weather). For the most part it has been sunny and warm, but not hot and humid, which is another wonderful weather gift for us.
We have already enjoyed very good company of family and friends. We have been invited out to homes and out to eat and in all of these places we have been welcomed. It feels good to catch up and we are warmed by the hospitality of family and friends.
‘til next time . . .
